Thurman poised to sign EMS contract, ending a year-long controversy

"The probationary period will make sure everything works out for both parties," Wood said. "In agreeing to this contract, we've let bygones be bygones."

The Thurman emergency squad is to meet Sunday night to vote on whether to ratify the proposed deal, she said.

"I'm very optimistic at this point," Wood said. "Since I ran for office, I wanted to keep EMS services local all along. The board just wanted to make sure people are protected with adequate medical services, while we stay within the budget and keep it affordable for the taxpayers."

Joyce Eddy said she and hundreds of other

Thurman residents will be happy if the contract is indeed endorsed. She noted that a petition signed by 222 Thurman residents was recently submitted to the town board calling for the local squad to provide services. Many townspeople have worried about the extra time required - as much as 15 or 20 minutes -for Warrensburg squad members to respond to calls, she said, particularly in the remote areas of Thurman.

Eddy knows about how vital quick response is.

Her great-grandson Dakota Beadnell was buried alive about two years ago when a sandbank collapsed near his home. Eddy credited not only the family dog for alerting the family members and pawing at the site he was buried, but she also said the Thurman squad's quick response saved the boy's life.

"Dakota's alive today because of the services they provided, after getting there so quickly," she said.

She added that a lot of Thurman residents are elderly and don't drive, and they are susceptible to various medical crises.

"Without quick response and transportation to the hospital, the elderly might just lay there and die," she said.